Hydrocarbon burner



March 10, 1942. M, PALSGROVE 2,275,550 HYDROCARBON BURNER Filed March 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flu 11mm flferia'rzZZ/Qz Zymaa extension wires used in Patented Mar. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,275,550 HYDROCARBON BURNER Merlin E. Palsgrove, Columbus, Ohio Application March 20, 1940, Serial No. 324,994

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in 011 burners, and has particular reference to that type of oil burners in which the hydrocarbon oil is fed in a regulated manner into a trough arranged adjacent to a combustion chamber formed in the:

burner casing and, wherein, during the operation of the burner, oil introduced into the trough is vaporized and admixed with air to form a highly combustible mixture.

It is an object of this invention to provide a the character set forth, so that such burners may be rendered comparatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, reliable and efiicient in use and convenient to manipulate and adjust.

For a further understanding of the invention,

reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior of an oil burner formed in accordance with the present invention; a

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the burner;

I Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable apertured plate utilized by the present invention; Fig. 5 is a similar view of the oil trough capillary screen;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the the oil-receiving trough of the burner.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I designates the box-like casing of my improved burner. Preferably, this casing is in the form of a metallic casting and embodies transversely spaced, parallel, vertical side walls 2, a bottom wall 3 and front and rear end walls 4 and 5 respectively. Internally, the casing I is formed with a vertical transversely extending for drinking purposes by live I ledge 8, as shown in casing and through a packing there is arranged a wall 6 which, in connection with the wall 5 and the bottom 3, forms a combustion chamber I.

Arranged within the chamber I and extending from the walls 2 and 5 of the casing I is a ledge 8 shaped to provide an oil-receiving trough or well 9. Liquid oil is introduced in regulated quantities into the bottom of the well 9 and is there subjected to sufiicient heat to effect its vaporization or hydroxylation with atmospheric oxygen and subsequent combustion in the chamber 1.

Many arrangements, of course, may be used for regulating the introduction of liquid oil into the trough 8. However, in the form of the invention illustrated, the burner is of simplified design and is adapted for use in the heating of water in connection with various farm activities. Simple, effective and reliable apparatus for regulating the flow of oil is thus indicated. A pipe line I0 is, therefore, provided which leads from an elevated oil-supply drum, not shown. In theline III, there is a shut-off valve II of the manually operated type. Threadedly carried by one of the casing walls 2 is a horizontal valve body I2 having an internally threaded bore I3 in' which is received the correspondingly threaded end of a second oil-supply pipe I4 which also extends from the. oil-supply drum. The bore I3 terminates in a reduced extension I5, and in this extension thermostatic valve stem I6. One end of the valve stem I6 has an adjustable threaded connection H with one of the casing walls 2, so that the valve stem projects horizontally across the combustion chamber 1 below the Fig. 2. Also, the stem I6 passes through the oppositewall 2 of the burner I8, the latter being positioned in the threaded end of the valve body I2 positioned in a socket I9 formed inthe wall 2 which carries the body I2. The outer end of the thermostatic stem I6 is provided with a head 20 which normally engages with a seat 2I, formed at the juncture of the reduced extension of the bore I3 with the enlarged outer threaded portion therefor. The stem I6 is formed from a metal which expands more rapidly under the influence of heat than the metal or metals from which the casing I or the valve body I2 is formed, with the result that whenever the valve stem is materially heated above normal atmospheric temperatures, the head 20 of said stem expands beyond the seat 2 I, thus opening the seat and allowing oil to flow through the valve body I2 from the pipe I4.

When the operation of the burner is initiated, the valve II is manually opened, so that oil flows trough 9 and to facilitate its ated, the oil then passes around the stem It and into an outlet port 24 arranged in vertical registration with and below the inlet port 22. The oil then flows under the action of gravity, or by suitable pressure means, if used, through a substantially U-shaped pipe line 24a, which passes under the casing l and is joined with a needle valve body 25, the latter having threaded connection with one of the side walls 2 of the casing and enters the well or trough 9, as indicated in Fig. 3. The needle valve is indicated at 26 and is adjustably mounted in the body 25. Adjustment of the valve 26 may be effected by manual rotation of its key-shaped end 21. It will be seen that with the valve ll open, oil flows through the valve body l2, the pipe line 24, the needle valve 28 and into the bottom of the trough 9.

Arranged in the bottom of the well 9 is a number of corrugated or crimped wires 28, disposed in loosely packed order, as shown in Fig. 3. Above these wires, the trough may be .packed with alternate layers of. asbestos and metal screen bars, as indicated at 29. Also, the outer wall of the trough 9 has positioned around the same an inverted U-shapedcapillary screen wick 30, which serves to remove oil "from the bottom of the vaporization and union with air to form a combustible mixture 1 within the chamber 1.

The top of the combustion chamber 1 is normally protected by a removable cover 3t. The vertical side Walls of this cover are notched as at 32 for the reception of lugs 33 projecting from the outer surfaces of the side walls '2. The curved front and rear walls of the cover 3! are thus spaced .fromthe corresponding walls of the casing l to form a primary air inlet, so that atmospheric air may be drawn into the top of the chamber 1.

In order to control the inflow of the primary air entering the chamber 1 from the top of the latter, an adjustable apertured air distributing ..plate 34 is provided. This plate is arranged at a slight angle with respect to the horizontal and rests upon inclined shoulders 35 projecting inwardlyfinto :the chamber 1 from the vertical sides of the wallet. The lower portion of the plate and the air distributor 34 are ;read1ly removable from the burner to provide 'mittan'ce of the the valve ll may be closed, since the thermostatic stem It becomes sufficiently heated and expanded so that its head 20 is separated from the seat 2! to provide for the required oil flow through the line Hi to the burner. Thus, if, for any reason, the burner should be accidentally extinguished, the thermostatic stem. it seat to arrest oil flow to the burner and overcoming oil flooding of the burner. With the stem l6 expanded, a sufficient quantity of oil is allowed to flow into the bottom of the trough for vaporization purposes. The vaporized oil ascends through the surface extending members formed by the wires 28, the bars 29 and the screen 36, the normal heat of the burner being such as to vaporize the oil so that it may readily combine with atmospheric oxygen introduced into the chamber 1 by the regulated flow of air through the apertures 36 of the air distributor 34. The amount or quantity of air, however,

introduced through the plate 3% is of insufficient volume to secure efficient combustion and, there. fore, secondary air is admitted into the chamber .7 for union with the combustible mixture by way of a secondary air passage ll. H desired, the passage M may be equipped with a valve or damper 41a for regulating the amount of air passing therethrough. The passage 4| enters the chamber 1 toward the bottom of the latter and Well spaced from the source of adprimary air, this feature being attained by the inclusion of the 'wall'fi.

When this improved burner is used to heat water or the like, the products of combustion or burning gases leaving the outlet 42 of the chamber 1, are passed through a flue '43 formed by a. water-containing jacket 44, the latter being 'detachably connected as at 45 with the burner casing. If the fiue 43 is of considerably greater diameter than the outlet 52, openings 46 may be provided to admit limited'quantities of tertiary air into theburner to effect complete combustion of the fuel mixture.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a simple and elli- -cient hydrocarbon burner which operates with the use of a natural draft, produces a rapid short flame and utilizes kerosene or furnace oil as a source of fuel. The burner may also operate withthe use of gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. The flame produced within the combustion chamber of the burner is completely enclosed, and back drafts, passing through the burner will not'cause flame combustion to take place exteriorly of the burner casing. Liquid fuel is fed to the burner by gravity under uniform flow conditions, and

not by drops or similar intermittent or interrupted flow. By getting the fuel into the bottom well, and the inclusion of low and regular flame. Also the shape of the the wick device therein,

provides a uniform generation ofvaporized fuel will again 7 immediately beneath said plate.

The burner is preferably operated with a short flame, which is created in the combustion chamber 1 immediately to the front of the fuel-receiving well, and the air supplied to the combustion chamber through said plate and by means of the secondary air inlet 4| is adjusted in volume to establish this zone of combustion. When properly adjusted, a long flame extending into the flue 43 is avoided and, likewise, soot and carbon deposit is minimized. The fuel vaporizing well is located in such position that the flame passes along one side of the Well and under its bottom, thus supplying the necessary heat to vaporize or gasify liquid fuels introduced into the bottom of the well. The back side wall of the well is spaced from the wall 5 of the burner casing so that the heat of combustion may be efficiently applied to the back of the well, in addition to the front and bottom thereof. The back wall of the well is joined with the wall 5 of the casing by the horizontal ledge 8. Since this ledge is solid and unperforated, it causes air, entering by way of the primary inlet, to pass around the lower portion of the air distributing plate and over the open top of the fuel well, thus preventing the burning of oil immediately over the open top of the well and providing for proper admixture of air with the vaporized fuel before flame combustion takes place. The amount of air flowing over the open top of the well may be varied by adjusting the air distributing plate toward and away from the ledge B. The burner is devoid of small delicate parts, such as jets or the like which are apt to become out of order or to occasion frequent adjustment or repair.

In order to clean the burner, it is merely necessary to remove the screws or bolts 45, which detaches the burner casing from the water heating jacket or manifold 44. The cap or cover may then be lifted'from the casing and the plate 34 removed, thus providing convenient access to the interior of the burner, as well as the manifold or jacket 44.

What is claimed is:

l. A hydrocarbon burner comprising a casing having an internal combustion chamber, an opentopped fuel-receiving well extending transversely and horizontally across said chamber between the top and bottom thereof, a primary air inlet entering said chamber above said well, a perforated air distributing plate positioned in said chamber and extending substantially across the same between said air inlet and the top of said well, a secondary air inlet entering said chamber below said well, and an outlet for gaseous products of combustion disposed below said well and on the opposite side of said well from said secondary air inlet.

2. A hydrocarbon burner comprising a casing formed with an internally disposed combustion chamber, a primary air inlet entering the top of said chamber and a secondary air inlet communicating with the lower portion of said chamber, an open-topped fuel-receiving well stationarily positioned in said chamber and extending transversely across the same between the primary and secondary air inlets, a perforated air distributing plate positioned in said chamber and extending substantially across the same above the open top of said well, said plate providing for a controlled flow of air from said primary inlet into said chamber with a portion of the air so admitted traveling across the open top of said well, and. an outlet for burned gases provided in the lower portion of said casing substantially below said well and on the opposite side of saidwell from said secondary air inlet.

3. A hydrocarbon burner comprising a casing formed with an internal fuel vaporizing and combustion chamber, a primary air inlet entering the top of said chamber, a secondary air inlet entering said chamber contiguous to its bottom, a substantially U-shaped fuel-receiving well stationarily mounted within said chamber between said primary and secondary air inlets, the front, back and bottom walls of said well being spaced from the corresponding walls of said chamber, means for admitting fuel into the bottom of said well in regulable quantities, a perforated air distributor arranged in said chamber between said primary air inlet and said well, said distributor being adjustable to vary the quantity of air admitted and serving to effect a flow of air across the top of said well to produce a combustible fuel mixture, and an outlet for gaseous products of combustion leading from said chamber contiguous to the bottom thereof and on the opposite side of said casing from said secondary air inlet.

4. In a hydrocarbon fuel burner, a casing having a normal fuel mixing and combustion chamber, primary and secondary air inlets entering the top and bottom of said chamber, respectively, a fuel-receiving and vaporizing cup stationarily positioned in said chamber between said air inlets, a perforated air-admitting plate extending transversely across said chamber and disposed between said primary air inlet and the top of said cup, guides in which said plate is mounted for sliding adjustment, threaded means cooperative with said plate for adjustably spacing the inner portion of said plate relative to said cup, and an outlet for gaseous products of combustion leading from the bottom of said chamber in spaced relation from said secondary air inlet.

5. In a hydrocarbon fuel burner, a casing having a normal fuel mixing and combustion chamber, primary and secondary air inlets entering the top and 'bottom of said chambenrespectively, a fuel-receiving and vaporizing cup stationarily positioned in said chamber between said air inlets, a perforated air-admitting plate extending transversely across said chamber and disposed between said primary air inlet and the top of said cup, guides in which said plate is mounted for sliding adjustment, threaded means cooperative with said plate for adjustably spacing the inner portion of said plate relative to said cup, an outlet for gaseous products of combustion leading from the bottom of said chamber in spaced relation from said secondary air inlet, and a removable cover element carried by the top of said casing.

6. In a hydrocarbon fuel burner, a casing having a combustion chamber extending longitudinally thereof, said chamber having an outlet at one end, primary and secondary air inlets communicating with said combustion chamber at the top and one end respectively, a fuel receiving and vaporizing trough extending transversely of said combustion chamber between said inlets and the outlet, the open upper portion of said trough being disposed adjacent to the primary air inlet,

' air controlling means and air controlling means disposed in said primary and secondary air inlets, the air controlling means in said primary air inlet having a pair of plates supported in spaced relation, the plate nearest to said trough having .a plurality of spaced perforations for the introduction of primary air to said burner.

7. In a hydrocarbon fuel burnen-a casing having a combustion chamber extending longitudinally thereof, said chamber having an outlet at one end, primary and secondary air inlets communicating with said combustion chamber at the top and one end respectively, a fuel receiving and vaporizing troughzextending transversely of said combustion chamber between said inlets and the outlet, the open upper portion of said trough be- ;to the primary air inlet, disposed in said primary and secondary air inlets, the air controlling means in said primary air inlet having a pair of plates supported in spaced relation, the plate nearest to said trough having a plurality of ing disposed adjacent spaced perforations for the introduction of primary air to said burner, and means for moving said plate relative to said casing to provide for the .fiow of air between the edge of said plate and the wall of said casing, the air thus admitted flowingover the open top of said trough.

'8. In .a hydrocarbon fuel burner, a casing having a-com'bustion chamber provided with an outlet, an air inlet passage communicating with said chamber from the top, a fuel receiving and vaporizing trough extending transversely of said air inlet passage adjacent to the side nearest the outlet of said combustion chamber, an air controlling and distrbuting member extending across the open upper end of said air inlet passage, said member having a plurality of spaced perforations, and means for adjusting said member to provide for a flow of air into said passage at one side of said trough, said air flowing over the open top of said trough to mix with vapors arising therefrom to produce a combustiblemixture, the products from combustion of the mixture flowing downwardly around and under said trough to the combustion chamber-outlet.

MERLIN E. PALSGROVE. 

